A community leader has called for action on an estate where tenants claim they wait years for repairs.

They say that even Bradford Council's rent office on the Swain House estate is "riddled with damp".

And the fed-up residents say youths roam the streets at night on the estate, which is also hit by drug problems.

Neighbourhood Watch chairman Peter Drinkwater said it took almost six years to sort out a damp patch at the top of the stairs at his Milligan Avenue home. "They kept sending people to do the job but they didn't do it right,'' he said.

"The repairs system needs better organising. They say there isn't enough money to do all the work but then replace doors on the estate that there's nothing wrong with."

Mr Drinkwater said the problems created by the youths had been discussed at Neighbourhood Watch meetings and the police were aware of them.

"The answer to this estate's prayers would be to have more money spent on it and get quicker repairs done to its houses - that would lift our spirits."

The chairman of the Council's housing services sub-committee, Councillor Jim O'Neill, said he was aware there were problems with the rent office building.

"It has been brought to our attention that the conditions for the staff and condition of the building need an urgent remedy," he said.

"It is under consideration but not before we have consulted the tenants' federation and the local community."

Coun O'Neill said the Council was also implementing a 26-point plan to improve the repairs service.

"I admit that at the moment we have a less than satisfactory repairs service but there are a number of reviews underway, including housing management.

"From that we are hoping to use our resources more effectively to give a better service."

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